Coin handling mechanism for vending machines



June 21, 1955 c, s, HEDGES 2,711,242

COIN HANDLING MECHANISM FOR VENDING MACHES June 21, 1955 c. s. HEDGES COIN HANDLING MECHANISM FOR VENDING MACHINES 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 20 1950 June 2l, 1955 c. s. HEDGES 2,711,242

COIN HANDLING MECHANISM FOR VENDING MACHINES Filed Nov. 20 195o 4 sneaks-sneer 3 .10. l /44 INVENToR.

E? 12 y .Chan/e5 Hedges BY Q,

C. S. HEDGES 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 June 21, 1955 COIN HANDLING MECHANISM FOR VENDING MACHINES Filed Nov. 20 1950 zNVENToR. l

- ,cm/'25 5. #ages BY Il; Anne/ve.

United States Patent O COIN HANDLING IVIECHANISM FOR VENDING MACHINES Charles S. Hedges, Kansas City,

Vendo Company, Missouri M0., assigner to The Kansas City, Mo., a corporation of This invention relates to coin control apparatus for vending machines and the like, the primary object being to provide structure for actuating separate mechanisms selectively as desired upon insertion of a coin and through manual manipulation of a swingablehandle or arm in either of two directions from a predetermined position and along a substantially 90 arc.

It is the most important object of the present invention to provide coin control apparatus having a pair of coaxial shafts so interconnected as to normally permit relative rotation of the shafts and upon insertion of a coin in the apparatus, rotation ot the shafts together as a unit.

Another important object o f this invention is to provide a coin control apparatus capable of receiving coins of a plurality of denominations and to automatically return to the customer,I change in the form of three nickels whenever a quarter is inserted to place the apparatus in an operating condition. Y

A further object of this invention is to provide coin control apparatus capable of operation upon insertion or" e either in the form of a dime, two nickels or a quarter; to render the apparatus inoperable upon insertion of a single nickel; to return three nickels to the customer when a quarter is inserted; and to return the coin to the customer whenever only a single nickel is inserted.

A further and very important object of this invention is to provide control apparatus wherein the drive shaft, when operating alone, serves to return the coins inserted to the customer, Whereas when the drive shaft and the driven shaft rotate together, the coins will be directed to a receiving box, all to the end that any jamming or failure of the driven matt to properly rotate during operation of the apparatus will serve to return the inserted coin irrespective of its denomination.

lt is an aim of this invention to provide in a coin control apparatus, a pair of end-to-end shafts interconnected solely by yieldable means in the nature of a spring whereby after each operation, the driven shaft will align itself to a normal position, thereby accommodating for jamming of the driven shaft and permitting manipulation of the drive shaft handle against the action of the spring during such jamming, while coins of improper denomina tion are inserted, and at all times when no coin has been inserted by the customer.

The aims and objects nf this invention include additionally the provision of a releasable lock for the driven shaft, together with means operated by the drive shaft and movable into engagement with an inserted coin for releasing the lock.

Other objects of this invention include the provision of a storage tube for stacked nickels; the way in which a reciprocable feeder is rendered operable only upon in* sertion of a. quarter to return three nickels from the stack thereof to the customer; the way in which a quarter is rejected in the event the supply of stacked nickels becomes diminished; the manner of normally locking the nickel feeder against operation except when a quarter is in posi- Patented June `21, 1955 ICC tion to unlock the same; the way in which the quarter, dime and nickel mechanisms are all placed in operation during each `movement of the drive shaft yet rendered incapable of unlocking the driven shaft except on inserA tion of the proper coin or coins; and many more minor objects, all of which will be made clear or become apparent as the following specification progresses, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a side elevational view of coin handling mechanism for vending machines `made pursuant to the present invention, parts being broken away to reveal'details of construction.

Fig. 2 is a rear elevational view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken on line lV-IV of Fig. 3, parts being broken away for clearness, showing the condition of the apparatus upon the initial insertion of a pair of nickels.

Fig. 4a is a sectional view showing the position of other parts of the nickel apparatus upon the initial insertion of a pair of nickels as in Fig. 4.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 4,.parts being broken away showing the condition of the machine just prior to release of the two nickels.

Fig.l 5a is a cross-sectional view illustrating the condition of the parts of Fig. 4a at the point of operation of the nickel apparatus illustrated in Fig. 5.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view similar t0 Figs. 4 and 5, parts being broken away illustrating thevconditiou of the nickel apparatus upon insertion of a single nickel and attempted operation ofthe apparatus. K

Fig. 6a is a sectional view similar to Figs. 4a and 5a illustrating the position of the parts of the nickel apparatus corresponding to Fig. 6.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional View taken On line VII-v-P-VII of Fig. 3, parts being broken away Vfor clearness and illustrating certain of the dime control mechanism.

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken on line VIII-VIII of Fig. 3 showing the quarter control mechanism together with the nickel return structure.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 8 but illustrating the condition of certain parts of the apparatus just prior to release of the quarter.

Fig. l0 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken on line X-X of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 1l is a cross-sectional view taken on line XIe-XI of Fig. l looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Fig. l2 is a detailed, cross-sectional view taken on line XlI-XII of Fig. l1.

The entire coin handling apparatus forming the subject matter hereof is preferably assembledv as a unit within a case broadly designated by the numeral Z0 and Yaving a front wall 22 and a pair of opposed, parallel side walls 24 and 26.

Front wall 22 has a coin-.receiving opening (not shown) near the uppermost end thereof registering directlywith a hollow, funnel-like receiver 2,8 formed to direct the coin downwardly through an outlet slot at the, lower1 most end 30 thereof and into any suitable slug rejector carried by the case Zt'and not herein illustrated. Such slug rejector may be of conventional character capable of directing good coins to the apparatus hereof; andV also. operable for rejecting slugs and the like for return to the customer by way of a coin return chute 32 at the lowerrnost end of the wall 22 and opening at the front, of the latter for register with an open top receptacle accessible to the customer and not illustrated in the` drawings.

A at plate 34 spanskthe distance between sidewalls. 24 and 26 of case 20 intermediate the ends ofv the latter in'parallelism with the wall 22; Wall 22 and plate 34Y rotatably carry a drive shaft l36 and a driven shaft 38 respectively and cooperating to hold the shafts 36 and 38 in coaxial relationship for rotation on horizontal axes. The shafts 36 and 38 are interconnected for simultaneous rotation upon insertion of a proper coin or coins in the receiver 28 but for rotation of the drive shaft 36 separate from the driven shaft 38 when no coin is in the apparatus and during other conditions hereinafter made clear.

It is to be preferred that shaft 38 be provided with a central bore (not shown) at the innermost end thereof and that the shaft 36 be provided with a length of reduced diameter freely received by such bore of the shaft 38. Each shaft 36 and 38 is provided with a collar rigid thereto (not shown) that in turn receives a sleeve 40 freely rotatable thereon and'having a spring 42 coiled thereabout.

A plate 44 freely circumscribing the drive shaft 36 has a hook 46 struck therefrom that is looped over one end 48 of the spring 42. Piate 44 is additionally provided with a laterally extending lug S0. A second plate 52 free on shaft 38 has a hook 54 struck therefrom and opening oppositely to hook 46 receives the opposite end of the spring 42, the latter being therefore, disposed between the plates 44 and 52. Plate S2 likewise has a laterally extending lug 58 thereon.

A disc 60 rigid to the shaft 36 and having a cam edge 62, is provided with a peripherally disposed ear 64 that extends toward the shaft 38 and is disposed between the lugs 50 and 58. The shaft 38 has a disc 66 rigid thereto having cam edges 67 and 68, spaced indentations 69 and 71 and a peripherally disposed ear 'itl extending toward the shaft 36 and also between the lugs Sil and 58 in partial overlapping but spaced relationship to the ear 64 of disc 60.

'The spring 42 is initially wound to tension the same so as to tend to rotate the plates 44 and 52 in opposite directions. The lugs 50 and 58 therefore, of the plates 44 and 52 respectively, tend to rotate in opposite directions or toward each other as viewed in Figs. l and 1l, clamping the ears 64 and 70 of discs 60 and 66 respectively therebetween. Rotation of the shaft 36 clockwise, viewing Fig. l0, will rotate its disc 60, and ear 64 bearing against the lug S8 will cause rotation of the plate 52. Because the spring 42 holds the lugs 50 and 58 biased against the ears 64 and 70, disc 66 and consequently shaft 38 will be rotated by the shaft 36 in the same clockwise direction. When the shaft 38 is free to rotate, rotation is imparted thereto through the spring 42 by rotation of the shaft 36 in either direction from a predetermined standstill position. Force is applied from shaft 36 to its disc 60 and ear 64. Ear 64 will either bear against lug 50 or the lug 58 to cause rotation of either spring plate 44 or S2 as the case may be. Since the ears 64 and '70 are held clamped'between the lugs 5'0 and 58 by spring 42, as long as shaft 38 is free to rotate, it will be rotated as aunit by the shaft 36 together with plates 44 and 52, lugs 50 and 58, discs 60 and 66 and ears 64 and 70. If however, the shaft 38 is locked against rotation for any reason, rotation-of the vshaft 36 in a clockwise direction viewing Fig. l0, will cause rotation of its disc 6i) and ear 64. Ear 64 bearing against lug 58 will cause the latter to move away from the ear 70,-the lug 50 and the ear 70 remaining in the normal position illustrated in Fig. l0 and the plate 52 rotating with the shaft 36 to wind or tension the spring 42. Obviously, shaft 38 and its disc 66 remains stationary with ear 70 and lug 50.

When the shaft 36 is rotated anti-clockwise, viewing Fig. lO, while shaft 38, its disc 66 and ear 70 are held against rotation, disc 60 rotating with shaft 36 will cause ear 64 to move against lug 50, again tensioning the spring 42 as the plate 44 is rotated anti-clockwise by shaft 36.

In this case shaft 38, its disc 66 and ear 70, as well as the plate 52 and lug 58, remain in the stationary position illustrated in Fig. 10. 1n all cases, whether the shaft 36 is rotated 90 in a clockwise direction or 90 in an anti-clockwise direction, spring 42 will return shaft 36 to a normal position. direction of rotation of shaft 36, spring 42 will return shaft 38 to a normal position when the shaft 38 is free to rotate with and by the shaft 36 and when the latter,v is

returned to its normal position. A handle, not shown,

gated, vertically reciprocable bar 82 mounted directly u upon the innermost face of the wall 22.

The bar 82 is provided with an elongated slot 84 intermediate the ends thereof for clearing the shaft 36` together with a second elongated slot 86 at its uppermost end riding on a pin 88 carried by the inner face of wall 22; and a third elongated slot 87 at the lower end of bar 82 rides on an inwardly extending pin 89 secured to the inner face of wall 22. Y

A pair of inwardly projecting pins 90 and 92 on wallV 22 and on bar 82 respectively, receive the ends of 4a spring 94 for yieldably holding the bar 82 at the uppermost end of its reciprocable path of travel illustrated in Figs. 2 and 10. Rotation of the plate 72 in either'direction from the position illustrated in Fig. lO will move either cam edge 74 or cam edge 76 of plate 72 against roller 80, forcing the bar 82 downwardly on its longitudinal axis against the action of spring 94.

The shaft 38 is normally limitedV in the extent of its rotation in response to rotation of shaft 36 by a lock that includes a disc 96 rigid to the shaft 38 adjacent the innermost face of plate 34 and having a pair of spaced- ,Y

apart ears 98 and 100 struck therefrom and extending inwardly toward the Wall 22 at one side of the axis of rotation of shaft 38. i

An elongated, angularly disposed link 102 adjacentk the innermost face of dise 96 has an elongated longitudinally extending slot 104 near its uppermost end for clearing shaft 38 and a second elongated slot 106 intermediate the ends thereof for clearing an outwardly ex-lv tending stud 108 on a panel 110 mounted between the side walls 24 and 26 of the case 20. l

The link 102 has a nger 112 struck therefrom that is normally disposed between the ears 98 and 100 when the link 102 is yieldably held at the uppermost end of its path of travel by a spring 114 interconnecting stud 108 and the lowermost end of the link 102. The distance between the ears 98 and 100 is greater than the width of the finger 112 and therefore, shaft 38 may ro-V tate slightly in response to rotation of shaft 36 until either ear 98 or 100 strikes the linger 112. However, when the link 102 is reciprocated to the lowermost end of its path of travel against the action of spring 114, the

nger112 will move from between the ears 98 and 100,r Y permitting free rotation of the disc 96 and the shaft 38 connected thereto.

A second panel 116 mounted in the case 20 between wall 22 and panel 110 and in parallelism with both, is Y provided with an opening not shown, for clearing the shaft 38 and panel 110 likewise circumscribes the shaft38. A pairof spaced-apart parallel partitions 118 and 120- are joinedto the panels and 116 therebetween. Such,L construction presents a nickel chamber between panel 110 and partition 118, a dime chamber 117 between partitions 118 and 120 and a quarter chamber 119 between partition 120 and panel 116.

An inwardly extending pivot pin 122 on the link 102 between stud 108 and the lowermost end of the link 102, passes through both panels 110 and 116 as well as through the partitions 118 and 120, there being elongated slots formed therein for clearing the pin 122 for movement of the link V102 on its longitudinal axis and Y Likewise, irrespective of thek 72 rigid to the drive one only Abeing illustrated in the drawings, namely that of panel 110 and designated by the numeral 124.

The, pivot pin 122 rigid tolink 102 swingably receives a nickel control Vlever or trigger 126, a dime control lever or trigger 128 and a quarter control `lever lor trigger 130 mounted in chambers V115, 117 and 119 respectively. The ,levers 126, 128 and 13.0 are 'also mounted intermediate the ends thereof to one side Aof the pivot pjin 122 on a common shaft 13 2 traversing the. panels 11o and 116 and the partitions 11.8 and 120 in parallelism with the pin 122 and cleared rb y openings in the members 110, i116, 118 and 12,0, one `only of which is illustrated in the drawings, formed in panel 110 vand designated by e numeral 134. An elongated 1136 between panel 116 and the wall 2,2 on one Side of the shafts 36 and 38, is pivotally mounted on shaft v13.2V at its uppermost end and has its lowermost enV split to s lidably receive a bracket 138 extending inwardly from the reciprocable bar 82. The link `136 is held at the uppermost end of its path of travel when the bar 82 Ais at the uppermost end of its path of travel by the bracket 13,8 bearing against the uppermost end of the aforesaid slot (not shown) and formed in the link 136.

Bracket 138 is joined to the link 136 `by .a ,spring 140. Initial downward movement of the bar 82'and bracket 138 pulls the link 136 downwardly through Spring 140, the latter permitting bracket 1.38 to continue downwardly as it slides in the slot of 136 tensioning spring 140.

An inwardly extending boss 1,442 on the panel 116 swingably carries an arm 144 intermediate the ends thereof having a pair of oppostely extending projections 1 46 and 148 on the uppermost end thereof and a lateral extension 150 at its lowermost end that passes through aligned arcuate slots 152, 1,54, 156 and 15,8 formed in panel 1.1.6, partition 118, partition 120 and panel 116 respectively and traverses the chambers 115, 117 and 119 in substantial parallelism with .the shaft 13,2, the pin y,122 and Athe `Shafts 36 and 38. The arm 144 is yieldably held at one end of its swinging path of travel with the projection 146 normally biased against the cam edge -62 of disc 6 0 by a spring 169 joining with the arm ,-144 below boss 142 and the wall 2.6 of case 20..

When shaft 36 iS rotated -.Il either direction -to rotate disc `6l), the `arm 144 Will be swung in one direction by the spring 16) to move .the extension 150 to the right viewing Figs. 2 and 4 to 9 inclusive, as soon as the cam edge 62 clears the projection `14,6.

Since, as above set forth, the ears 98 and 100, as well as the linger 112; permit limited rotation of; the shaft 38, disc 66 will ,rotate slightly to a position for receiving the projection 148 within indentation 69 or 71 as the case may be. If the shaft 38 rotates with shaft 36 causing simultaneous rotation of disc 66 with shaft 38, then either cam edge 67 or 68 will move ,into engagement with the projection 148 before .cam edge 62 leaves projection 146 and cause swinging movement of the arm 144 against the action of spring 168 which in turn moves the kextension 1:59 to the left as viewed in Figs. 2 and 4 to 9 inclusive. Figure 4.a .of the drawings v.illustrates the normal position of the arm 144 with the extension 1,46 engaging cam edge 62. Figure a shows how disc 66 moves into engagement with projection 148 moving the arm 144 against the action of spring 16) and also moving projection 146 away from cam edge 62 whenever the shaft 38 and its disc 66 rotate with shaft 36 and its disc 60. Figure 6a of the drawings illustrates how projection 148 moves into indentations 71 of disc 66 when shaft 36. iS rotated anti-clockwise, view-` ing Fig. 6a, to a position where cam edge 62 clears projection 146.

The extension o swingably carries coin deflcctors 162., 164 and 1.66 disposed within chambers 115, 117 and 119 respectively and each provided with a slot 168 hooked over a transverse pin 170 common thereto and interconnecting the panel 116, partitions 118 and 120 and panel 110.

`6 .An elongated, vertical open end tube. 1721s carried by :the wall 24er case 2.0. :therebeiag an inclinedhopper 174 adapted to direct a plurality of nickel-,s 176 into tube 172 for normal stacking upon a horizontally roiprocable feeder 17S as shown Ain Fig. 8.. The feeder 1.78v has; a

circular opening adapted to receive three nickels 17,6

when shifted to the left, viewing Fig. 8, to a vposition aligned with the lowermost open -end of tube 172 asy shown in Fig. 9. Y c

A shelf 182 on the wal-1 245 receives the nickels 176 when the feeder 1781's in the position illustrated in Fig. 9, and has its uppermost face alfgned with a clearance openidg in Wall 24 for the feeder 178 'that is in register with a passageway 184 communicating with coin return` chute 32. The feeder 178 is joined rigidly.y to one `end of an elongated bar 186 Supported at that endthereof, opposite to feeder 178 by a clearance opening for-*med in the wall 26, the bar 186 being between panel 116 and the wall 2,2.

A lock bar 188 betwefn bar 186 and the panel 11,6 passes through a vertical slot formed in the wall 26 and connects at its innermost end with a link A190 by a pivot pin A1,92 passing through a notch 1,94 formed in the bar 186, A spring joining pin 1 92 and the inner face of wall 24, holds the feeder 178i; the bar 1,86. the bar 138 and the link 198 yieldably biased toward the posit-ion illustrated in Fig. 9 of the drawings. Link 190 disposed bet-Ween panel116 andthe wall A22 is pivoted intermediate the ends thereof on a stud 198 carried-.by panel 116 and has a roller 2590 at its `uppermostend that is held biased against the peripheral @des 0f an egg-shaped plate ,202 by the spring 196, plate 202 being fixed to the shaft 3S between panel 11,6 and the disc 66.

The Panel 1161's Provided with an Opening 20.4 having a shoulder 206 at its lowermost edge within thenorrnal path of travel of a lug 20S on bar 188 and extending through the opennig 294. kPlate 202. normally bearing against roller 200 and opera-ting against the actions of spring 196 normally holds the lug end of the opening 204 as illustrated in Eig. 8.. Whenever the apparatus is operated with shafts 36 and 38. both rotating by utilizing either the nickel chamber 1,15 o r the dirne chamber 117 and with no coin appearing in chamber 119., plate 292 will rotate in a direction to per-mit swinging movement of the roller 200 to the rightviewing Fig. 8,

Spring 196 will then shift the bar 188 until the lug 208 strikes the shoulder 20.6. Continued rotation of,4 the shaft 38 and its plate 202 will cause the latter to leave the roller 200 and the bar 1588 will thereby hold the feeder 178 locked against full movement in alignment with the tube 172 for receiving nickels 1.76.

A vertical rod 210 rotatably carried by the Wall 24 alongside the tube 172 has a member on the lowermost end thereof including a linger 21,2 that is held biased into .a slot 214 of tube 172 b y a spring 216 connected toa crank 218. A cross rod ,220. having one end thereof pivotally connected with crank 218 passes through the walls 2.4 and 26 and is provided with an offset portion 222-within the opening for rod 220, formed in wall 26,.

A11 l.-Shaped lever 2,24 swiasably secured to the inner face of wall 22, receives the cross rod 22o. The finger 212 is normally held without the slot 214 by a stack of nickels 176 within tube 172. When the nickels have been fed to lower the stack as shown in Figs. 8r and 9, the nger 212 will be forced into the tube 172 by spring 216. This action rotates the rod 210 together with crank 218 to reciprocate the rod 220 as offset portion 2,22 thereof moves within the wall 26V,k the lever 224 will be swung to a point for blocking the passage of quarters deflecting the same into the coin return chute 312.

In operation let it be assumed rst that a dime 226 (Figs 7) is inserted. in the apparatus.. Prior to Such insertion, the shaft 38 is held against full .rotation by the link 102 disposed within tsxnger-112z`between the y208 at the lowermost ears 98 and 100. Consequently, through the medium of a suitable handle on shaft 36 not shown, the customer can freely Swing the shaft in either direction from a given normal position which merely winds the spring 42 without consequent effect upon the shaft 38. The dirne 226 passes from the outlet opening at the end of receiver 28 and unless the same is deflected into the return chute 32 by the slug rejector above mentioned, it will pass into the chamber 117 and move along a passageway 228 to a point of rest upon the uppermost end of its deflector 164 normally positioned as illustrated in Fig. 7. In the event that shaft 38 jams through some defective operation of the load connected with shaft 38, disc rotating with shaft 36 while disc 66 and shaft 38 remain stationary, will move to a position Where the cam edge 62 clears the projection 146. Spring 161i will thereupon operate to swing arm 144 in a direction moving the projection 148 into either indentation 69 or 71, depending upon the direction of rotation chosen of shaft 36 by the customer, it being remembered that initial movement of shaft 36 causes slight rotation of shaft 38 and the disc 66 thereon to align the indentations 69 or 71 with the projection 148. Such movement of the arm 144 shifts the extension 156 to the right,

viewing Fig. 7, within slots 152, 154, 156 and 158 per- -i mitting the dime to fall from the uppermost deflector 164 and along the uppermost edge of an arm 230 forming a part of deliector 164 into the coin return chute 32.

In normal operation rotation of shaft 36 in either direction, operates plates 72 with cam edges 74 or 76 thereof acting upon roller to move the bar 82 downwardly. Bracket 138 on bar 82 exerts a pull upon spring which moves link 136 downwardly, causing all of the control levers 126, 128 and 131i to swing downwardly on pivot pin 122 by virtue of the shaft connection 132. As soon as that end of the lever 128 opposite to pin 122 strikes the edge of dime piece 226, continued downward movement of the link 136 Will cause the pin 122 to move downwardly carrying therewith the link 102 against the action of spring 114 and thereby withdrawing the finger 112 between ears 98 and 100.

The disc 96 and accordingly shaft 38, thereby being unlocked, will rotate with shaft 36 by virtue of the springconnection 42, moving cam edge 67 or 68 of disc 66 against the projection 148. This swings the arm 144 against the action of spring 160, shifting the extension to the left hand end of the slots 152, 154, 156 and 158, viewing Fig. 7, and causing the dime 226 to gravitate from the uppermost end of the deector 164 and travel along a passageway 232 into a coin-receiving receptacle not shown, at the lowermost end of the case 20. A linger 234 on the dellector retains the dime 226 within the passageway 232 until the operator returns or permits shaft 36 to return to the normal position illustrated in Fig. 7.

During rotation of the shaft 38, a small pivotally mounted latch 236 on the innermost face of plate 34, normally held against swinging movement by a spring 238, engages either gear teeth 246 or 242 on disc 96 to restrain any tendency to counter rotation that may result from the load on shaft 38, it being seen in Fig. 2 that the latch 236 is normally between the gear teeth 240 and 242.

The operation just above described with respect to dirne 226 is essentially the same in the case of insertion of a pair of nickels 244 as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5. Movement of the control lever 126 against the uppermost nickel actuates link 102 to free the disc 96 and as soon as cam edge 67 or 68 comes into engagement with projection 148, the extension 150 will be moved to the left as shown in Fig. 5, whereupon the nickels 244 fall into a passage 246 of chamber 115, it being noted that the deector 162 is devoid of finger 234. Thus, the nickels 244 are collected in a separate coin box facilitating refilling of the tube 172 when 4the ap-V paratus is serviced. f j

Figure 4a illustrates the position of arm 144 and/discs 60 and 66 when the nickels 244 are initially inserted as shown in Fig. 4.

Figure 5a illustrates the position of arm 144 and the discs 6i) and 66 when the nickels 244 are about to be discharged into passageway 246 as illustrated in Fig. 5. In the event that the shaft 38 becomes jammed or if the shaft 36'is rotated without insertion of any coin` in the apparatus, or if only a single nickel 244 is inl serted in chamber 115 as illustrated in Fig, 6, rotation of the shaft 36 in either direction willractuate the bar 82, the link 136 and all of the levers 126, 128 and Y, 136, but since none of these levers engage a coin, shaft-r. j

38 remaining locked byvirtue of Vlink 102 will not cause rotation of disc 66 and accordingly, as soonas the cam edge 62 of disc 60 moves to a position permitting springv 16) to actuate arm 144, the extension 150 will move to the right as seen in Fig. 6, and if a single nickel was inserted, it willvbe deflected by finger 248 into the coin return chute 32, Vfinger 248 ofV deiiector 162 bein comparable to arm 230 of deliector 164. 5

The operation of the device when a quarter 250` i'sV in.;V Y serted in the chamber 119 is the same so far as operation V of shaft 38 is concerned, and being fully illustrated `in Figs. 8 and 9 need not be repeated.

deflector 164 for dimes 226. The operation when a quarter is inserted includes the additional factor of delivering or returning three nickels Y the quarter 250, cam plate 202 rotates during rotationofV shaft 38 to a position permitting spring 196 to operate feeder 178 and bars 186 and 188. As soon as lug 208V of bar 188 strikes the quarter 250, bar 188 will rise as pin 192 moves to the left, viewing Figs. 8 and 9,-to clearv f the shoulder 296 of opening 204', as spring 196 swings the link 190 toV move the roller 200 to the right and the pin 192 to the left, the feeder 178 and bars 186 and 18,8V

will move together to the left, viewing Figs. 8 and 9, moving the opening from the position illustrated in Fig.

8 to the position illustrated in Fig. 9. Three nickels 176 will be received by the opening 180 `and as soon as the operator permits the shafts 36 and 38 to return to normal position, the cam plate 202 will actuate link forcing' the feeder 178 to a position where the three nickels 176 carried thereby will be dumped into passage 184 for gravitation into coin return chute 32. jams and plate 202 remains in the position illustrated in K If the shaft 38 Fig. 8, no movement of the feeder 178 will take place. Instead, the quarter 250 will be dumped from the uppermost edge of its deflector 166 by movement of the extension 150 to the right, viewing Fig. 8, and causing the quarter 2750 to pass into the coin return chute 32.

It is now apparent that merchandise costing 10 cents may be vended through use of the control apparatus` above described by insertion of a dime, two nickels or a It is further seen that by virtue of the operation hereof irrespective of the direction of the movement quarter.

of the control shaft `36, two separate vending mechanisms may be coupled with the driven shaft 38, one operating when the shaft 38 is rotated in one direction and the other operatingwhen the shaft 38 is caused to rotate in the opposite direction. Apparatus of such character and adapted to be controlled by the coin mechanism hereof, is fully disclosed in my co-pending application tiled`v on even date herewith and entitled Vending Machine for Pies and the Like.

In this connection, means is therein provided to automatically lock the vending mechanisms thereof againstf Y operation when emptied of vendible merchandise. It is in this respect that driven shaft 38 may become jammed,

and by virtue of the operation above set forth, coins will -V lt isy noted that the deflector 166 for quarters 25) is formed exactly kas 19 be returned to a customer. Obviously, whenithe Lcontrol apparatus is used witha vending machine, instructions will be printed advising -the customer as .to which -way shaft 36 must be rotated in .order to operate mechanism for vending a selected article of merchandise..

It is, also, seen that through obvious alterations, the apparatus hereof could be modified .to vend merchandise costing cents, returning .one nickel ifa .dirne is inserted and four nickles if a .qua-rter is inserted, .or be .altered to operate with still other combinations of coin mediums.

Many other changes would .be easily .made accom modating the apparatus for .operation with a penny or by coins of any other denomination.

vHaving thus .described ,the invention, what is .claimed as new and desired .to he secured by Letters Patent is:

l. In a machine wherein is provided a drive shaft and a .driven shaft, a shiftable .device normally locking said diivenshaft against rotation, .and means joining the shafts for rotation together when .said device is Au-nlorikeiil, .and rotation of the drive shaft relative :to :the driven shaft'when the device is locked, the improvement of which comprises control apparatus including Va member coupled with the drive shaft for normally free movement thereby as the drive shaft isrotated; and means joining .the member and said device for shifting the vlatter to an unlocked position on retardation of said normally free movement of the member.

2,. In a machine wherein is provided a pair of rotatable shafts, and a coil spring in substantially .coaxial relationship to the shafts; the improvement .of which .comprises coin control apparatus including releasable means normally holdingone of said shafts against ,rotation .a laterally-extending lug on each end respectively of said spring; an ear on each shaft respectively between said lugs, said spring being wound tobias the lugs against the ears whereby to normally permit rotation of the other shaft relative to said one shaft and to join the sha'fts for rotation together as a unit with the spring upon release of said means; a member operably connected with said other shaft for movement thereby; means for supporting a coin within the path of travel of said member when swung in one direction through rotation of the other shaft to control the manner of movement of the member; and structure coupling the member and said releasable means for releasing the latter only upon movement of the member after engagement with said coin.

3. In coin control apparatus, a drive shaft and a driven shaft; a shiftable device normally locking said driven shaft againstrotation; means joining the shafts for rotation together when said device is unlocked and rotation of the drive shaft relative to the driven shaft when the device is locked; a shiftable coin support; means for releasing said device engageable by a coin on the support and on limited rotation of the drive shaft; means on the driven shaft for shifting said coin support in one direction to discharge the coin on one side of the support as the driven shaft is rotated by continued rotation of the drive shaft after release of said device; and means on the drive shaft for shifting said coin support in another direction to discharge the coin on the opposite side of the support upon jamming of the driven shaft and continued rota tion of the drive shaft relative thereto.

4. In coin control apparatus, a pair of rotatable shafts; yieldable means joining the shafts; a shiftable coin support; means on one of the shafts for shifting the support in one direction to discharge a coin to one side thereof on rotation of the shafts together as a unit; and means on the other shaft for shifting the support in another direction to discharge the coin to the opposite side thereof when the one shaft is held against rotation and as the other shaft is separately rotated against the action of said yieldable means.

5. In coin control apparatus, a pair of rotatable shafts; yieldable means joining the shafts; a shiftable device normally locking one of said shafts against ro- .number of coins therefrom iii) tation; a .shiftable coin su port; a.. swingebie trigger; :a recinrocable mounting .for said trigger.- operably con- :pled with .the other shaft; means ioi lng the trigger and said device for releasingY the .latter upon .swinging of the trigger in response .to engagement .thereof with coin on said .support as the .trigger :is vmoved with said mount-.ing .in one direction; means on said one shaft for .Shifting .the .support in .one direction to discharge a. coin to .one side thereof .on rotation .of the sha-.tts together as a unit; .and mea-.uson the `.other .shaft for shifting the .sup-port in another direction .to .discharge the coin. t0

`the opposite side. thereof when the .one shaft is held against ;.r.otatio.n and as the .other shaft is separately vi0- .tated .against the action of said yieldable means..

6.. .In coin control apparatus, a pair of =otatah1e shafts; yieldable means joining .the shafts; a .shiftahle device normally locking one of .said sha-its .against .aro tation; a .shiftable coin .-support; a. .swingable trigger; :a reciprocable mounting for .said trigger operably coupled with the other shaft; means joining :the trigger .and said device yfor releasing the latter upon :swinging .of .the -tri-gger in response .to .engagement :thereof with the .uppermost Vof a pai-r yof Y.coins stacked .on :said support as Athe trigger is moved Y.with `said :mounting in one A:direction; means con said one shaftfor shifting the Nsupport in one `direction to discharge said pair .of coins .to one side thereof on rotation of the :shaftsftogether 21S a unit; .and means on ithe ,other shaft for shifting A;the support in another .direction vto discharge `a `single :coin resting on the support to :the opposite side thereof when the one shaft is .held against. #rotation :by said devise `and .as the other shaft is `separately rotated against the action -of said y.yieldable means.

7- .In coin control apparatus, a .coin .return chute; an open bottom tube for a-.staels 0f. .coins of one .def nomination; a feeder lmovable alternately to :a first no .siton beneath `the tube .for .receiving .a `oredete-rm1f1.ed and to a second position discharging its received coins into said coin chute; a rotatable shaft; means operably coupling the shaft and said feeder for moving the latter to the second position and normally holding the feeder in the second position; yieldable means connected with the feeder kfor biasing the latter toward said rst position; a swingable lock bar connected with the feeder for movement therewith; stop means within the path of movement of the lock bar for limiting the extent of movement of the feeder to the first position under influence of the yieldable means upon rotation of the shaft; a coin support; and means on the lock bar engageable with a coin of another denomination when resting upon said support as the shaft is rotated for swinging the lock bar to a position clearing the stop means whereby to permit movement of the feeder to the iirst position.

8. In control apparatus, a drive shaft having a cam thereon; a driven shaft provided with a disc; a device shiftable to and from a position within the path of travel of the disc for locking the driven shaft against rotation; a lever movably secured to the device; means operably coupling the cam and the lever for moving the latter on the device upon rotation of the drive shaft; means for supporting. a coin within the path of travel of the lever whereby upon continued rotation of the drive shaft said lever shifts the device from said position; and means operably connecting the shafts whereby the driven shaft is rotated by the drive shaft after said device is shifted by the lever, said last mentioned means being yieldable whereby the drive shaft may be rotated to move the lever and shift the device while the driven shaft is held against rotation by the device.

9. In a control apparatus, a drive shaft having an element thereon provided with a cam edge; a driven shaft having a cam thereon; a yieldable device interconnecting the shafts; a swingable member having a coin support; yieldable means connected with the member for normally holding the latter biased against the cam edge and toward said cam whereby, upon rotation of the drive shaft relative to theV driven shaft, the cam edge is moved out of engagement with said member and the support is retracted in one direction from beneath the coin resting thereon; and means on the member engageable by the cam upon rotation of the shafts together for swinging the member against the action of said yieldable means to retract the support in the opposite direction from beneath a coin resting thereon.

l0. in control apparatus, rotatable structure having an element rotatable therewith; a releasable device en-V gageable with said element and normally limiting the extent of rotation of said structure; a link coupled with said structure for reciprocable movement in response to limited rotation of the latter; a member swingably secured at one end thereofV to said device; means pivotally connecting the link with said member intermediate the ends of the latter for swinging the member on the device upon reciprocation of said link; and means for supporting a coin within the path of swinging movement of said member for engagement by the opposite end of the latter as the link is moved in one direction, whereby to block the member against swinging movement relative to the device and elect reciprocable movement of the link, the member and the device as a unit to release said element.

11. 1n control apparatus, structure mounted for a1- ternate rotational movement in opposite directions from a normal position; an element secured to said structure for rotation therewith; a releasable device normally limiting the extent of movement of said element in either direction; a shiftable trigger; a mounting for said trigger operably connected with said structure for movement thereby through a predetermined path of travel upon swinging of the structure in either direction; and means coupling the trigger and said device for releasing the latter upon blocking of the movement of the trigger along said path of travel, whereby to shift the trigger on its mounting as the trigger and mounting are moved by said structure. Y

12. In coin control apparatus, rotatable structure havt ing an element rotatable therewith;a releasable device engageable with said element and normally limiting the extent of rotation of said structure; a mounting operably connected with said structure for movement thereby; a trigger shiftable on said mounting through ya predetermined path of travel; movable mechanism normally disposed to support a coin thereon within said path of travel of the trigger when moved by said mounting; means coupling the triggenwith said device Vfor releasing the latter as the trigger is shifted on its mount- Ying in response to engagement with a coin on said mechanism; and means operably joining said mechanism and said structure for moving the mechanism from beneath` the coin upon continued rotation of said structure after release of the device.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Shenton Dec. 7, 

